Abstract: This application relates to tower segment handling methods and apparatus, and in particular to methods and apparatus for handling segments of steel wind turbine towers. The wind turbine tower comprises a plurality of cylindrical vertical tower sections, which in the finished tower are mounted on top of one another. The vertical section of the tower has a longitudinal axis and comprises a plurality of wind turbine tower segments, the tower segments have vertical and horizontal edges and combine to form a complete vertical tower section by joining along their vertical edges. Adjacent vertical tower sections are joined to each other along the horizontal edges of the wind turbine tower segments. The tower segments have support members facilitating storage and transport of the segments. A method of assembling and disassembling a tower section on a roller bed is also disclosed.

Abstract: The method includes a preprocessing transfer step which places an unprocessed rod-like body in a receiving position; a post-processing transfer step which pushes a processed rod-like body with the unprocessed rod-like body, and thus transfers the processed rod-like body to a rail portion; a rail portion transfer step which pushes the processed rod-like body with the unprocessed rod-like body, and thus transfers the processed rod-like body while being guided by the rail portion; a withdrawing step which withdraws the processed rod-like body from the rail portion using a withdrawing unit; a detection step which detects that the processed rod-like body is transferred from the rail portion to the withdrawing unit; and a discharge step which discharges the processed rod-like body from the withdrawing unit in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the processed rod-like body.